4.8 magnitude earthquake in Laos, Hanoi residents felt slight shaking

A 4.8 magnitude earthquake occurred in Laos on the evening of November 12, causing many people in Hanoi to feel slight tremors and objects in their houses to sway.

Camera images recorded many areas in Hanoi experiencing slight tremors on the night of November 12. ( Video : Provided by residents)

At about 11:26 p.m. on November 12, an earthquake of magnitude 4.8 occurred in Houaphan province (Laos), at a depth of about 30 km, the epicenter was about 5 km from the Vietnam border in Na Meo commune, Thanh Hoa province.

According to the Institute of Earth Sciences , the epicenter is located about 150 km from Hanoi and 140 km from the center of Thanh Hoa province. The earthquake is assessed as having a natural disaster risk level 1 on a scale of 5 levels - the lowest level.

Currently, the Earthquake Information and Tsunami Warning Center - Institute of Earth Sciences is continuing to monitor this earthquake.

Location of the earthquake in Laos. (Photo: Institute of Earth Sciences)

During the night, many Hanoi residents shared that they felt a slight shaking that lasted only a few seconds. Some people said that while they were lying down, they felt their bed “shake as if someone was pushing it”, others thought they were dizzy or lightheaded.

Ms. Khanh Linh, in Ha Dong ward, Hanoi said: "At first I felt a bit dizzy, thinking it was due to fatigue, but then I heard people talking and realized it was an earthquake."

In the Chuong My area, Ms. Trang Do said she clearly felt two short tremors, each lasting a few seconds, which made her and her relatives "startled because they had never seen such a phenomenon in Hanoi."

People in Hanoi felt slight tremors at around 11:26 p.m. on November 12. (Photo: Screenshot)

"My house shook quite strongly for a few seconds, the chandelier and wardrobe swayed like a hammock. Everyone in the house panicked and shouted to each other to run outside. This is the first time I have seen such a phenomenon in Hanoi," said Ms. Trang.

In the Dong Da area, Mr. Nguyen Hai said that while working on the 20th floor, he clearly felt two short tremors, only a few dozen seconds apart.

“The glass of water on the table was shaking slightly. I thought it was a strong wind, but when I looked at the clock, it was exactly 11:26 p.m., I realized it was an earthquake. Luckily, it only lasted about 5 seconds,” he said.

Ms. Phuong Tran, residing in My Duc, shared that she felt dizzy for a moment and then felt the walls shake slightly. “ I was watching TV when the floor shook, my little child was so scared that she hugged me tightly. Later, when I read the news, I realized it was an earthquake in Laos,” Ms. Phuong said.

On November 7, the Earthquake and Tsunami Warning Center recorded two earthquakes measuring 3.6 and 4.0 on the Richter scale in the Son La area and Hue City, respectively. Both did not pose any risk of natural disasters.

According to information from the Center, at 2:51 p.m. on November 7, an earthquake measuring 3.6 on the Richter scale occurred in Binh Thuan commune, Son La province, at the coordinates (21.603 degrees North latitude, 103.616 degrees East longitude), with a focal depth of about 10 km. Disaster risk level 0.

At 9:25 p.m. the same day, another earthquake was recorded in A Luoi 4 commune (Hue city) with a magnitude of 4.0 on the Richter scale, coordinates 16.219° North latitude - 107.325° East longitude, focal depth 8.3 km.

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/dong-dat-4-8-do-tai-lao-nguoi-dan-ha-noi-cam-nhan-rung-lac-nhe.html